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Texas Medical Center

Our Team

The work conducted throughout The Trauma and Grief Center at Texas Children’s Hospital would not be possible without our collaborative team of talented and passionate researchers and clinicians who are dedicated to relieving the suffering of traumatized and grieving youth.

Core Team

Dr. Kaplow serves as Director of the Trauma and Grief Center, a SAMHSA-funded Treatment and Service Adaptation Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. In this role, she oversees evidence-based assessment, treatment, and research with youth and families exposed to traumas and/or... Read more

Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in assessing and treating traumatized and bereaved youth. She joined the Trauma and Grief Center as the first and only social worker/clinician when it was established in Houston in fall, 2014. Since this time she has received... Read more

Iris Padilla-Beshara is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker who specializes in assessing and treating traumatized and bereaved youth. Iris’ passion about trauma and grief stems from her own professional experiences as a clinician working in the community, where she was exposed first-hand... Read more

Luana M. Da Silva, LMSW is a multilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, French) immigrant Latina social worker who specializes in working with children and families who have experienced trauma and bereavement. She has practiced across various settings such as in a domestic and sexual violence shelter, a... Read more

As the Program Coordinator for the Trauma and Grief Center, I manage many of the administrative and support duties that sustain our center. These duties span across all three of the grants that sponsor our work at the Trauma and Grief Center. In addition to the administrative and operational... Read more

Dr. Oosterhoff is a developmental psychologist specializing in promoting positive youth development among children and adolescents, particularly those who have experienced adversity or trauma. His research interests include understanding how both positive and negative community contexts and... Read more

My research focuses on the prevention of suicide-related behaviors among adolescent and emerging adult populations. In particular, I focus on prevention among bereaved youth and youth in the LGBTQ+ community. My work places a special emphasis on the efficient use of limited mental health resources... Read more

Trust and Respect are not earned but given!
My interests, both clinical and research, revolve around quality. It is important that clients have access to and receive the highest quality of care when visiting a local clinic, hospital, community center, or facility from which they are seeking... Read more

My primary research interests focus on the causes and consequences of attention and disruptive behavior disorders in children. I am also interested in early interventions for young children, parenting, and diversity factors. I am currently extending my research training in assessment tool... Read more

Juan P. Sazo is a bilingual licensed master social worker who specializes in assessing and treating traumatized and bereaved youth. Juan has several years’ experience working in in faith-based and school-based environments to support children, adolescents, and families of color in social-emotional... Read more

Marisa B. Nowitz, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and board approved Supervisor, experienced in supporting bereaved and traumatized youth. Marisa worked in healthcare for many years where she had the opportunity to counsel children who were struggling to cope with a parent’s illness and/... Read more

Nohemi Garcia, MA, LMFT, LPC is a bilingual therapist who specializes in working with traumatized and bereaved youth. She has been a member of the Trauma and Grief Center for Youth since early 2018 and is also a member of the Mobile Clinic Program, providing care for children in underserved... Read more